“I have to beat Mexico,” says Honduras Boss Pinto

For Honduras head coach Jorge Luis Pinto the game against Mexico, at San Pedro Sula’s Olimpico Metropolitano stadium, is much more than a World Cup qualifying match.

“This is a game that the whole Honduran community is looking forward too with all of their sentiment and that is how the national team is feeling it,” Pinto told reporters during a press conference.

Having lost their opening World Cup qualifying match against Group A rivals Canada, in Vancouver, the Catrachos are eager to put their 1-0 loss behind them. Still Pinto warns that “in this region it has to be said that Mexico are favorites.”

“We have been preparing for the game against Mexico since fourth months ago in all aspects,” continued the Colombian. “I have the security that the team will have a clear proposal, a clear game concept, an idea of knowing how to control Mexico very good, that gives me tranquility.”

Pinto, who led Costa Rica to the 2014 Brazil World Cup quarterfinals, feels he has an advantage over fellow countryman Osorio who had never coached a national team before taking over Mexico.

“Osorio doesn’t know how the qualifiers in this zone play out he will most likely be conservative. We have to propose because I like to look for the game because our style of play, our rhythm, will be to impose.”

“Aside from the coach, I know that I have to beat Mexico, we have a great friendship, appreciation as Colombians, but we have to go all out,” added Pinto who is confident Honduras will make the best of their home-field advantage.

“Honduras will be host and will play with the advantages given by the tropic, like when we go to Mexico, their advantage is the altitude.”